

Getting Hammered
Laissez-Faire Media
It's not easy keeping up with the news—especially when you're a parent. Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus know that well. And while they can't get your kids to school on time (and without ketchup in their hair—ask Mary Katharine about that one), they can break down the news you need to know. Put the kids to bed, pour yourself a drink, and join us once a week for Getting Hammered.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 30, 2025 • 1h 4min
100 Days Later
Watch this episode on Youtube!
Today, we're talking about the first 100 days of Trump's second term, the White House Correspondents Dinner, Pierre Poilievre's loss in Canada, and the fall of Shedeur Sanders in the NFL draft. Don't miss this episode!
Time stamps:
14:21 - First 100 Days
35:20 - WHCD
56:32 - Pierre Poilievre
59:43 - Shedeur Sanders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 25, 2025 • 1h 1min
The One About the Pope
Watch this episode on Youtube!On this episode, we breakdown the media's take on the Pope, Trump's $5k baby bonus incentive, a SCOTUS case on religious freedom, and when will we see a trade deal? Tune in!Time stamps:13:57 - The Pope27:14 - Baby Bonuses40:40 - SCOTUS 54:06 - Trade deal? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 23, 2025 • 47min
The Southern Surge: The Untold Hopeful Story on Literacy, with Karen Vaites
Karen Vaites, a curriculum expert and open-schools advocate from Covid days highlights the bright spots in the NAEP national report card in literacy in perhaps surprising places— Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama. We talk how they did it, with LA and MS going from absolute bottom of the pack to 1 and 2 in results for underprivileged kids. It’s inspiring! Why isn’t it being covered more by national media? Listen and pass it on!Follow Karen on her platforms:@karenvaites on XSchool Yourself on Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 17, 2025 • 52min
A Couple of Peeps
Watch this episode on YouTube!For this Easter episode, we’re doing the journalism few dare attempt: taste-testing every bizarre Peeps flavor we could find. From classic yellow to Dr. Pepper (why?), we rank them all so you don’t ruin your holiday. Tune in! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 16, 2025 • 50min
Evil Will Come with Vocal Fry
Watch this episode on YouTube!Today, we’re covering the latest on tariffs, El Salvador’s President visits the White House, the arson attack targeting Pennsylvania’s governor, and Taylor Lorenz. All this and more!Time stamps:11:53 - Tariffs17:28 - Immigration37:18 - Arson Attack on Governor Shapiro40:55 - Taylor Lorenz46:03 - Bill Maher Goes to The White House Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 11, 2025 • 43min
Shower Heads of State
Watch this episode on Youtube!Today, the U.S. House passes a Trump-backed budget bill, Trump pauses (most of) the tariffs and signs an executive order on water pressure. All this and more!Time stamps:13:10 - Budget bill21:40 - Tariffs38:26 - Executive order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 9, 2025 • 56min
Don't Trust the Robots
Watch this episode on Youtube!On this episode, we cover the latest on tariffs, the Supreme Court's decision on deportations, and a new breed of dire wolf. Also, does anyone remember Signalgate? Tune in!Time stamps:10:01 - Tariffs and trade32:12 - SCOTUS44:01 - Signalgate47:46 - Dire wolves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 4, 2025 • 1h 1min
I'm Your Huckleberry
On this episode, we pay tribute to Val Kilmer, brace for tariffs, review the special elections, and discuss the latest Biden books. All this and more!Time stamps:12:29 - Liberation Day35:39 - National Institutes of Health44:45 - Special Elections52:25 - Cory Booker56:01 - Biden Book Drama Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 2, 2025 • 45min
Terms of Service
Watch this episode on Youtube!On this episode, Trump teases a third term, JD Vance shows up in Greenland, the latest on tariffs, and Trump is set to meet Bill Maher. All this and more!Time stamps:13:38 - A third Trump term17:32 - More on tariffs24:24 - Trump to meet with Bill Maher28:55 - JD Vance visits Greenland36:08 - Columbia University40:32 - Anything else? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 28, 2025 • 1h 2min
Boomer Stuff
Watch this episode on Youtube!On this episode, the Signal chat leak saga continues to unfold, the ongoing reckoning from the left on COVID, NPR hearings, and the Wisconsin Supreme Court election which we should all be watching. Tune in!Time stamps:10:30 - Signal chat leak cont'd29:21 - Covid reckoning41:34 - NPR =earings51:07 - Wisconsin Supreme Court election53:04 - SNAP benefits ban Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


